Method and machine for producing knitted split fabric



1933- H. E. HOUSEMAN ET AL 1,939,818

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING KNITTED SPLIT FABRIC Filed May 29, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 we llL 1933- H. E. HOUSEMAN ET AL 1,939,318

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING KNITTED SPLIT FABRIC Filed May 29. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P76 6'. wrwro/as fi arak/ ff/auocmarz Zia/ways.

1933- H. E. HOUSEMAN El AL 1,9395818 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING KNITTED SiLIT FABRIC Filed May 29. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 19 I933 METHOD AND MACHINE Fox PRODUCING KNITTED sPLI'r FABRIC Harold E. Houseman, Edge Moor, Del., and Wilbur 'L. Houseman, Maplewood, N. J., assignors to Standard-Trump Bros. Machine Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation. of Delaware Application May 29, 1931. Serial No. 540,836

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a method for producing split fabric by rotary knitting, as contrasted with reciprocatory knitting, and mechanism for practically carrying out the method,

the mechanism specifically forming stockings having high splices and split soles.

In the usual method of forming a split fabric split fabric, are stationary, although, of course,

they are movable for the usual yar'nl'changes, etc. In accordance with the present invention the feed control to the two banks of needles is governed by needle manipulation only. Briefly, the operation as carried out on a preferred machine involves depressing one set of'needlesat the main feed point, where the body yarn is fed, so that the depressed needles fail to engage the body yarn which is taken only by those of the other set, feeding the sole yarn inside the needle,

circle at a point in advance of the main feed, and pressing inwardly-the first set of needles to engage this yarn while those of the second set.

fail to take it. n v

Further objects of theinvention relating particularly to details of the method and a preferred mechanism will be apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevation, partly in section, of certain portions of a knitting machinei'embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a part of the same, partly broken away; r

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the needle cams and" means for actuating the same;

Fig. 4 is an inside developed view' of the needle cams;

Fig. 5 is a view, partly in elevation and partly 1 in section, of certain needle cam actuating mechanism; Fig. 6 is an inside elevation of the same; Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating the paths of the hook ends of the needles relative-to the yarn feeding fingers;

(c1. as -4a) Fig. 9 is a vertical radial section through certain needle cam actuating devices; and

Fig. 10 is a side view of needles used in the machine.

In one preferred form of the invention there is provided the machine illustrated in the drawings, this machine comprising the usual operating elements for imparting rotary and reciprocatory motion to a needle cylinder 2 in which are slidably mounted needles generally desig- 5 nated as 4. With theseneedles there cooperate the usual sinkers, both the'sinkers and needles being moved in'suitable waves to form stitches in the usual manner. Also individually cooperating with the needles are needle pressing and deflecting jacks 8 slidably mounted in the jack dial 6 and provided withoutwardly extending butts 10 engageable by a suitable actuating cam 12. The action of the jacks upon the needles .is effected through intermediate pressers, the

arrangement of Jacks, pressers and needles being as illustrated in the application of Wilbur L."Houseman, Serial Number 339,335, filed February 12, 1929. Since this construction is at present well known and in common use it need not be. here described in detail. Besides the lowermost butts 10 with which the cam 12 cooperates the jacks may also be provided with upper butts acted upon by suitable selectively actuated cams for the production of selective plating and reverse plating for the formation of patterns in the fabric being knitted. As will be obvious hereafter, the present mechanism does not interfere in any fashion'with the formation of designs by plating or the like.

The cam 12 is in the form of a lever pivoted at 14 and normally urged to a retracted position by a spring 13 as indicated in Fig. 2. The cam 12 is provided with a lug 16 engageable within a depression in a lever 18 which is slotted for the reception of an upright pin 20. The inner end ofthe lever 18 engages an adjustable stop 22 against which it is pulled by the action of a spring 24. The outer end of lever 18 is bifurcated to engage a pin 26 carried by one end of alever 28 pivoted at 30 to a fixed portion of the frame. This lever 28 carries an adjustable fol lower screw 32 engageable by cams 40 on the main cam disc 41. When the follower 32 is acted upon by a cam 40 the lever 28 is swung about pivot 30 resulting in a movement of lever 18 so as to force the lug 16 out of the notch in the lever and thereby press the cam lever 12 inwardly into position to be engaged by the butts 10 on the jacks. Reverse movement of 1 0 the main cam disc.

sion engaging a pin 44 carried by a radially movable slide 46 urged inwardly by a spring 48. The slide 46 carries the topcenter cam designated as a unit by 50. This top center cam is provided with two needle engaging faces 52 and 54, the face 52 extending inwardly further than the face 54 for a purpose hereafter described.

The usual stitch cams are provided; That one which is inactive during rotary knitting, designated 56, is carried by a suitable radially movable slide whereby it may be retracted at suitable times for leveling. This arrangementis of course of the, usual type.

A special cam 58, the function of which will be hereafter described, is carried by a radially move able slide 60 which is normally urged outwardly by a spring 62. The outer end of the slide 60 is engaged by the lower end'of the lever 64 which has a pin and slot engagement with a radially extending arm .66 carried by a lever 68 pivoted.

;urges the lever 68 in such directionas to retract the lever 64 from the slide 60. I

There is also provided a stitch .cam '78 which is active during rotary knitting, this stitch cam 78 being somewhat diiferent from the usual :stitch cam in that there is provided an inward extension .80 the purpose of which will. hereafter be pointed out. As illustrated in Fig. 9. the

cam 78 is carried by a radially movableslide-BZ- provided with an adjustable screw 84 engageable by a lever 86 rocked by cams 90 onthe cam disc 41 through the intermediate action of a plunger 88. A spring 92 urges theslide 82 inwardly.

The needles which have been heretofore desig .nated as 4. consist of two sets 4' and 4, as indicated in Fig. 10. The needles 4' are provided with long butts 94 and ,are adapted tov form the instep of a stocking. They therefore extend about one-half the needle cylinder. The needles 4" are provided with short butts 96 and are arranged to knit the high splice heel, sole and toe of the stocking and, of course, the rear of the upper leg. In addition'to the short butts 96 these needles are provided with shoulders 98.

In the set-up of the machine all of the short butt needles are associated withjacks having butts 10. Likewise the two long butt needles at each end of the short butt set are alsov associated with jacks having butts 10 adapted to be acted upon by cam 12. These long butt needles, 'two on each side, are adapted to produce a suture in the high splice and split sole portions of the stocking and accordingly are arranged to take both the body yarn and the highsplice and sole yarns to form the proper interlinking. 'It is for this reason that they are associated with jacks having butts 10. The remaining long butt needles are not associated with jacks at all if no patterns are to be produced, or, if patterns are to be produced,: they are associated with jacks from which the lowermost butts 10 are missing so that in no case will they be deflected by the action of cam 12.

The cams 52 and are arranged to extend inwardly sufliciently to 'act upon the shoulders 98 of the short butt needles to prematurely depress these needles so that-they will not take yarn at the main feed. The cams 54 and 78 are adapted to act upon the butts of the needles in the usual fashion, this action upon the short butts taking place even though the cams 52 and 80 are retracted so as to avoid engagement with the shoulders 98.

The yarn feeding arrangements are as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 which disclose'the paths of long and short butt needles at different times together with the positions of the yarn feeding fingers assumed at such times. At the usual position there are provided the yarn feeding fingers 99, 100 and 103. The finger 99 carries the heel yarn t, the finger 100 carries the body yarn or body yarns b and the finger 103 carries the ringtoe yarn r. Besides these fingers which occupy normal positions within the opening in the latch ring, there are provided fingers 101 and 102 feeding yarns s and h in advance of the normal feed at'a'position adjacent the cam 12. The yarn s is the sole yarn and the yarn h the high splice yarn. These fingers when active feed their respective yarns at positions inside the line which the needles take when in their normal outward position. Accordingly the needles -occupying such normal positions will not take these yarns. On the other hand, if the needles are deflected by the operation of cam 12 they will pass inside the line of feed of the sole and high splice yarns and hence engage these yarns knitting them into the fabric at the main feed. The various operations effected during the formation of the stocking will be brought out hereafter in thedetailed discussion of the operation of the machine. V v

While singlerfingers are illustrated for the various yarns, 'it will be obvious that these fingers maybe duplicated for the purpose of providing yarn changes. For example, there may be two fingers carrying high splice yarns, which fingers may be moved into action alternately. 'Or two high splice yarns may be fed through the same *finger simultaneously to the needles, normal and'reverse plated patterns being thereby produced by inward deflection of needles at the time the stitches are drawn.

In the machine of the present type the usual clamping and cutting means is provided within the needle circle substantially at the axis of rotation of the needle cylinder.- As will be pointed outhereafter this location of the clamping and cutting. means is responsible for a certain phase ofi the operation.

In operatingthe machine to produce a split foot stocking, a rib top is first placed on the needles while they are levelled, the stitch cams 56 and 78 being retracted so as to clear the needle butts in the usual manner. The machine is then started, these stitch cams moving inwardly to positions where they will be far enough from the needle cylinder to clear the shoulders of the short butt needles, the body yarn or yarns having been meanwhile introduced. At this time the stitch cam 78 engages the butts of all the needles which take body yarn at the main feed point and are drawn downwardly to form stitches in the usual manner. Of course, if the machine is equipped with reverse plating,

yarns float across the fabric,

wrapping or other patterning devices, suitable patterns may be formed in the fabric. In the present instance therneedles may be readily de flected for reverse plating by action of suitable,

pressers on the upper butts of jacks 8 at a point, following the feed point, where the stitches are being drawn.

When the point is reached for the production of the high splice, split fabric knitting, begins through the occurrence of certain operations caused by movement of the main cam disc. During the passage of long butt needles past the respective elements the high splice yarn finger 102 is dropped into its feeding position, top' center cam and stitch cam slides 46 and 82 move in so that shoulders of short butt needles will be engaged by cams 52 and 80, and jack cam 12 moves inwardly to flex all those needles with which pressers and jacks havingbutts 10 are associated. that is, all the short butt needles, and two long butt needles on each end of the long butt needle bank. Thereafter, the hook ends of the long and short butt needles follow the paths indicated in Fig. 7 at L and S respectively. The short butt needles and the pairs of advancing and trailing long butt needles are deflected by the action of the cam 12 on the jacks associated with them so as to take yarn from the finger 102 which is in action. The

short butt needles are then prematurely depressed by engagement of earns 52 and withtheir shoulders 98 so that they escape engagement with the instep yarn from finger 100,,

The long butt needles, with the exception of the four just mentioned, are not deflected by the action of cam12 and hence fail to engage the high splice yarn. They pass through the usual knitting wave by reason of the action of cams 54 and 78 on their butts. i Y

To sum up the operations occurring in the formation of the high splice it may be said that the short butt needles take the high splice yarn but fail to engage the body yarn, the long butt needles, with the exception of the four suture needles, take the body yarn but miss the high splice yarn, and the suture needles take both yarns forming the suture between the sections of the fabric. Both the body and high splice these floats being later cut out.

When the heel is reached, the heel yarn is introduced at the main feed point by lowering the finger 99 into action, the body yarn and high splice yarns being removed from action by the rise of fingers 100 and 102. Since the short butt more important, the carrying of the main body yarn into the back of the stocking at the junction ofthe high splice and heel where it would ordinarily cause an objectionable streak of color since ordinarily, particularly in fancy work, the body yarn differs sharply in color from the high splice andheel yarns.

In view of the above, the various events in the yarn changing operations take place in carefully adjusted sequence. First, as the last long butt needles of the series (the suture needles), reach the main feed point, the heel yarn is lowered so as'to be engaged by one or.

both of the suture needles; As soon as .the last long butt needle takes the body yarn, the body yarn finger is raised. However, the slides 46 and 82 are not retracted immediately, but such retraction is delayed so that the first ofthe series of short butt needles, say the first ten, are prematurely depressed so as not to take yarn at the main feed, while the remainder of the series, following retraction of slides 46 and 82, follow the normal knitting wave. This premature depression of the leading'short butt needles insures the complete withdrawal of .the body yarn after the feeding of the last long butt needle but before'it can be taken by a short butt needle. From the above operation, it follows that the heel yarn taken by the suture needles, or

one of them, floats over to the first of the short.

butt needles following the normal knitting wave,

say the eleventh, and is thereafter engaged by:

the short butt needles. Since yarn must be fed to the short butt needles which are prematurely depressed in order to avoid an opening in the fabric, the high splice yarn is not withdrawn or the jack cam 12 rendered inactive until, say, the twentieth short butt needleis fed thereby so that there is an overlap of the heel and high splic yarns on about ten needles.

It may be pointed out that, although the slide 46 and jack cam 12 are retracted simultaneously due to the angular displacements .they withdraw at. about the tenth and twentieth short butt needles respectively.

The reason for bringing theheel yarn into action on the long butt suture needles is furthe purpose of tying it down. .If this were not done, it might possibly be pulled upwardly by the body yarn, when the body yarn goes out of action, to

a position too high to be engaged by the first short butt needle following the normal wave.

After the above yarn changes take place, reciprocation starts with narrowing and widening in the ordinary fashion to form the heel, the usual switch cam raising the long butt needles out of action, and the raising and lowering pickers manipulating the short butt needles.

In coming oif the heel. to again form split fabric in the sole, the body yarn must go into action in time to feed the leading long butt needle but must not engage any of the short butt needles, to again avoid a streak of color of the body yarn through the heel and sole yarns. Consequently, at the beginning, of the stroke coming ofi the heel, the top cam slide 46' is moved inwardly to put a premature downward wave in the short butt needles to cause them to avoid the main yarn, this movement of the top cam slide and jack cam 12 taking place at the time of dead center following the last backward oscillation. In the meantime, the sole yarn is introduced by the'lowering offinger 101, this yarn being engaged by about the twentieth short butt needle. In order to insure a proper overfirst longbutt needle, will be extending from finger 100 radially inward to the. clamping device situated at about the center of the axis of rotation. .By moving cam 58 inwardly, the short a 6 butt needles are caused .to follow the path indicated at ST in Fig. 8. That is, they are prematurely depressed. by cam 52 so as to pass under the radially extending'body yarn, but then rise so as to take the heel yarn which will feed from 10 the left-hand corner of the opening in the latch ring as viewed in Fig. 8. The heel yarn may be taken out of action at about the twenty-fifth short butt needle whereby a five needle overlap with the sole yarn is produced. Following this,

the cam slide 82 moves inwardly and cam 58 is withdrawn whereupon the short butt needles again follow the path S of Fig. 7. (Cam 58' is in action for about one-fourth of a turn. The first long butt needle then takes the body yarn and split work continues in the same fashion as in the high splice.

When the ringtoe is reached, a yarn change occurs at the main feed, the ring to yarn being lowered into action by finger 103 and the main '1 yarn being raised after a suitable overlap by rise of finger 100. The cam slides 46 and 82 are partially retracted and the sole yarn is raised out of action so that ordinary knitting as in the upper legtakes place.

Following the. formation of the ring toe, the toe and loopers rounds are knit in the usual manner. Theyarn is then taken out of action, the stocking pressing off the needles, the .two stitch cams are fully withdrawn bringing the needles to a level for transferring, and the machine automatically stops.

Whatwe claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: c

1. The method of producing a split fabric by 4o rotaryknitting which comprises feeding at least two yarns to a set of .needles including two series and suture needles, deflecting the hooksof one series of needles andof the suture needles to position them to take'one yarn, depressing -jthe said series of needles to prevent their engagement with the other yarn, manipulating the second series of needles and the suture needles whereby they take the second yarn, the

1 :gages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn at a knitting point, and whereby the other series of; needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the second yarn at the same knitting point, and effecting a yarn change during asingle rotation to feed the third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, by withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series of needles, bringing the third yarn into action at a needle of ;the first series subsequent to the leading one of thefirst series, and withdrawing the first yarn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes thev third yarn,

whereby an'overlap of the first and .third yarns is produced. a I

3. The method of producing a split fabric by rotary knitting which comprises feeding at least three yarnsto-a set of needles including two of needles whereby one series of needles em gages and=forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series 'of needles engagesand forms stitches by manipulation'of the second yarn, and effecting a yarn change '-'during a single rotation' to feed the third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, by withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series-of needles, bring ing the third yarn into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and withdrawing the first yarn only after feeding the leadingneedles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third 'yarn'being fedat approximately the location of feed of the second yarn.

4. The method of producing a split fabric by rotary knitting which comprises feeding at least three yarns to a set of needles including two series, differently manipulating the two series of needles whereby one series/of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the second yarn, and effecting a yarn change during a single rotation to feed the third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, by withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series of needles, bringing'the third yarn into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and withdrawing the first yarn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takesthe third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and'third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fed at approximately the loca-' tion of feed of the second yarn, andthe first yarn being fed substantially'in advance of the location of the second and third yarns.

5. The method of producing a .split fabric by rotary knitting which comprises feeding at least three yarns to a set of needles including two series, differently manipulating the two series' of needles'whereby one series of needles en; gages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the second yarn, and effecting a. yarn change during a single rotation to feed the third yarn to the needles to take" the place of the first yarn, by withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series of needles, bringing the third yarn into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and withdrawing the firstyarn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that'series which takes the third yarn, whereby, an over lap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fed atappr'oxiinately the location of feed of the second yarn, the leading needles of the first series being prematurely depressed during the said single rotation'during which yarn change'is effected whereby. they avoid engagement with the second yarn during its withdrawal.

6. The method of producing a split-fabric by rotary knitting which comprises feeding at'least three yarns to a set of needles including two series, differently manipulating the two series-0f needles whereby one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the second yarn, and effecting a yarn change during a single rotation to feed the third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, by withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series of needles, bringing the third yarn into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and withdrawing the first yarn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yamsis produced, the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed of the second yarn, the leading needles of the first series being prematurely depressed during the said single rotation .during which yarn change is effected whereby they avoid engagement with the second yarn during its withdrawal, subsequent needles of the first series following a normal path to take the third'yarn. '7. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series and suture needles, and actuating mechanism including "means for'differently manipulating the needles whereby during rotary knitting one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn, and whereby the suture needles engage and form stitches by manipulation of both yarns, said yarns remaining in feeding positions during such operations. i

8. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series and suture needles, and actuating mechanism operating during rotary knitting including means for deflecting the hooks of one series of needles and of the suture needles to position-them to take one yarn, means for prematurely depressing the said series of needles to prevent their engagement with the other:

yarn,- and means for manipulating the second series of needles and the suture needles whereby they take the second yarn, the second series of needles-missing the first yarn.

9. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formationof stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, actuating mechanism in cluding means fordifferently manipulatingthe two series of needles whereby during rotary knitting one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn at a knitting point, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn at the same knitting point, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby during a single rotation'the second yarn is withdrawn-after feeding the second series of needles, the third'yarn is brought into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the-leading one of the first series, and the first yarn iswithdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series" at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and'third yarns is produced.

10. A 'knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, actuating mechanism including means for differently manipulating the two series of needles whereby during rotary knitting one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first vyarn, the various yarn feeding-means operating in succession whereby during a single rotation the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second series of needles, the third yarn is brought into action at a needle of the first series'subsequent to the leading one of the first'series, and the first yarn is withdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns'is produced, the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed of the second yarn.

11. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, actuating mechanism'including means for differently manipulating the two series of needles whereby during rotary knittingone series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of' the other yarn, and means for feeding a third yarn to theineedles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby during a single rotation the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second-series of needles, thethird yarn is brought into action at a needleof the first series subsequent to the leadingone of e the first series, and'the first yarn is withdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fed'at approximately the location of feed of the second yarn, and the first yarn being fed substantially in advance of the locations of feedof the second and third yarns;

r 12. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, actuating mechaanism including means for differently manipulating'the two series of needles-whereby during rotary knitting one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby during a single rotation the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second series of needles, the third yarn is brought into action, at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and the first yarn is withdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced; the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed of the secondyarn, said actuating means including means for prematurely depressing the leading needles of the'first series during the said single rotation during which yarn change is effected whereby they avoid engagement with the second yarn during its withdrawal.

13. A knitting. machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarnsto the needles, said set of needles including two series, actuating mechanism including means for differently manipulating the two series of needles whereby during rotary knitting one series of needles en-.- gages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, and whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby during a single rotation the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second :seriesof needles, the third yarn is brought into actionat aneedle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and the first yarn is withdrawn only after feeding the leading 'needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced,

the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed'of the second yarn, said actuating means including means for prematurely depressing the leading needles of the first series during the said single rotation during which yarn change is effected whereby they avoid engagement with the second yarn during its withdrawal, subsequent needles of the first series following a normal path to take the third yarn. 14. The method of producing a change of yarn in the formation of a rotary split foot fabric which comprises feeding one yarn to a series of instep needles, feeding a second yarn to a series of sole needles and introducing a third yarn for subsequent reciprocatory knitting, in advance of the withdrawal of the first and second yarns in such manner as to cause it to overlap with the second yarn in the sole needles.

15. The method of producing a change of yarn in the formation of a rotary split foot stocking formed by feeding separate yarns to an instep series of needles and a sole series of needles which comprises moving a body yarn and a sole yarn into feeding positions while a heel yarn is being knit by, the sole needles, and withdrawing the heel yarn and so manipulating the sole needles that they will fail to engage the body yarn but will continue to engage the heel yarn until it is withdrawn from feeding position, whereby an overlap will be formed between the heel yarn and the sole yarn.

' 16. The method of producing a split fabric by rotary knitting which comprises feeding at least two yarns to a set of needles including two series and suture needles, and, while the yarns are continuously maintained in feeding positions, differently manipulating the needles whereby one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of oneyarn, whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn, and whereby the suture needles engage and form stitches by manipulation of both yarns.

17. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding atleast-two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series and suture needles, and actuating mechanism including means for differently manipulating the needles whereby 'during rotary knitting one series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn, whereby the other series of needles engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn, and whereby the suture needles engage and form stitches by manipulation of both yarns, loops of both yarns being drawn at the same point and said yarns remaining in feeding positions during such operations.

18. A knitting machine including a circular set ofneedles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series and suture needles, and actuating mechanism operating during rotary knitting including means for deflecting the hooks of one series of needles and of the suture needles to position-them to take one yarn, means for prematurely depressing the said series of needles to prevent their engagement with the other yarn, and means for manipulating the second series, of needles and the suture needles whereby they take the second yarn, thesecond series of needles'missing the first yarn, loops of both yarns being drawn at the same point.

19. The method of effecting a yarn change in knittingon a circular set of needles including two successive series one of which initially forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn and the other of which initially forms stitches by manipulation of a second yarn, comprising, during the formation of a single course, withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series of needles, bringing a third yarn into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and withdrawing the first yarn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the-third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fedat approximately the location of feed of the second yarn.

20. The method of effecting a yarn change in knitting on a circular set of needles including two successive series one of which initially forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn and the other of which initially forms stitches by manipulation of a second yarn, comprising, during the formation of a single course, withdrawing the second yarn after feeding the second series of needles, bringing a third yarn into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and withdrawing the first yarn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed of the sec- 0nd yarn, and the first yarn being fed substantially in advance of the location of the second and third yarns.

21. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, one of which engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn and the other of which engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn at the same set of knitting cams during rotary knitting, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby in the formation of a single course, the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second series of needles, the third yarn is brought into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and the first yarn is withdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced.

22. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least ,two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, one of which engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn and the other of which engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn during rotary knitting, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby in the formation of a single course, the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second series of needles, the third yarn is brought into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and the first yarn is withdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed of the second yarn. 23. A knitting machine including a circular set of needles and devices cooperating therewith in the formation of stitches, means for feeding at least two yarns to the needles, said set of needles including two series, one of which engages and forms stitches by manipulation of one yarn and the other of which engages and forms stitches by manipulation of the other yarn during rotary knitting, and means for feeding a third yarn to the needles to take the place of the first yarn, the various yarn feeding means operating in succession whereby in the formation of a single course, the second yarn is withdrawn after feeding the second series of needles, the third yarn is brought into action at a needle of the first series subsequent to the leading one of the first series, and the first yarn isrwithdrawn only after feeding the leading needles of the first series at least including the first needle of that series which takes the third yarn, whereby an overlap of the first and third yarns is produced, the third yarn being fed at approximately the location of feed of the second yarn, and the first yarn being fed substantially in advance of the locations of feed of the second and third yarns.

HAROLD E. HOUSEMAN. WILBUR L. HOUSEMAN. 

